# NTSB CEN12LA507: Cessna 150M, N45080, Cottage Grove, WI, July 31, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2012, 11:58 local (16:58 UTC) - Place: Cottage Grove, WI - Coordinates: 43.104721, -89.186111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1047&lon=-89.1861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO Milwaukee - NTSB case key (mKey): 84549 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA507 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84549/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84549 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA507 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land on a runway with significant overgrown vegetation along the edges and his landing, which was left of the centerline. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2071830), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis After an uneventful local flight, the pilot decided to land on runway 4 since he had not landed on that runway in a long time. After a normal approach, the pilot landed the airplane just slightly left of the centerline but did not think that it was overly to the left. As the airplane coasted to taxi speed, the left wing contacted high vegetation and overgrown brush overhanging the left side of the runway. The airplane then veered to the left off the side of the runway and collided into brush and small trees, resulting in substantial damage to the leading edges of both wings. High vegetation, up to 12 feet tall, was found by the runway and was overhanging the west side of the runway by 2 to 4 feet. High vegetation was also overhanging the east side of the runway by 1 to 3 feet. The published runway 4 width is 57 feet, but the usable width for landing was narrowed by about 7 feet due to the overgrown vegetation. The pilot stated that he should have landed on runway 27, knowing that it was clear of vegetation on both sides. He said that he was not aware of just how much brush had overgrown the sides of runway 4 since the last time he landed there a few years ago. The pilot stated that if he had made a more perfect landing on the centerline and rolled out on centerline, the wingtip of the airplane would not have contacted the overgrown brush. Currently, the published information for the airfield includes information stating that brush and high vegetation surround the edges of runways 4/22. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2012, at 1158 central daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N45080, registered to private individuals, contacted overgrown vegetation and veered off runway 04 while landing at the Blackhawk Airfield (87Y), Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight which was being conducted under the provisions of Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated at 1125 from the Portage Airport (C47), Portage, Wisconsin, and the accident occurred at it's final destination (Blackhawk Airfield, Cottage Grove, Wisconsin). The pilot reported that the flight from Portage to Blackhawk was uneventful. Upon arrival to Blackhawk, he checked ATIS information which indicated that the wind was from 340 degrees at 6 knots. Since his runway choice was either 27 or 04, he decided to land on runway 04 since he had not landed on that runway in a long time. After a normal approach, the pilot landed the airplane just slightly left of centerline but did not think that it was overly to the left. As the airplane coasted to taxi speed, the left wing contacted high vegetation and overgrown brush overhanging the left side of the runway. The airplane then veered to the left off the side of the runway and crashed into brush and small trees, resulting in substantial damage to the leading edges of both wings. An FAA inspector who examined the site of the accident reported that there was high vegetation, up to 12 feet tall, overhanging the west side of the runway by 2 to 4 feet. High vegetation was also overhanging the east side of the runway by 1 to 3 feet. The published runway 04 width is 57 feet, but the usable area for landing was narrowed by approximately 7 feet due to the overgrown vegetation. The pilot stated on NTSB Form 6120 that he should have landed on runway 27, knowing that it was clear of vegetation on both sides. He said that he was not aware of just how much brush had overgrown the sides of runway 04 since the last time he landed there a few years ago. He stated that the left side of runway 04 was heavily overgrown and that a notice should have been given to alert pilots that the runway 04 width is narrower than its published usable width. He stated that if he had made a more perfect landing on centerline and rolled out on centerline, that the wingtip of the airplane would not have contacted the overgrown brush. Currently, the published information for Blackhawk Airfield includes information stating that brush and vegetation surround the edges of runways 04/22. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N45080](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N45080), registered now, S/N 15076726, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-200-series) (registry code 17402, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15076726 - Airframe hours: 6715 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James L Sainsbury - Registered owner: Billig Arnold E + 3 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2012, 25 hours before - Destination: 87Y, Cottage Grove, WI - Airport: 87Y, Blackhawk Airfield, runway 04, 2,814 × 57 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 390 total, 242 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 7 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120731016289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120731016289A), Jul 31, 2012: Cessna 150M, Madison, WI, Substantial damage. During landing, pilot landed left of runway centerline, aircraft contacted brush on the left side of the runway which had overgrown the side of the runway by 2… ## Other investigations on N45080 (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC78FGM18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FGM18), Feb 19, 1978: Cessna 150M (N45080), Waynesburg, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84549. 4.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 Damage to Airplane (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393816&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Damage%20to%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 2 View of Runway with Overgrown Vegetation (item 3, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20View%20of%20Runway%20with%20Overgrown%20Vegetation-Master.PDF - Photo 3 Closeup View of Overgrown Vegetation on the Side of the Runway (item 4, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393821&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20Closeup%20View%20of%20Overgrown%20Vegetation%20on%20the%20Side%20of%20the%20Runway-Master.PDF - Blackhawk Airfield Information (item 5, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40393833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Blackhawk%20Airfield%20Information-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.